My 1st National, Vintage, Modern Case Breaks, Meeting Tyson, Jordan, Bird Auto's!!! etc. Scans...
miconelegacy
Posts: 3,052 ✭
Just wanted to share my first National visit. I didn't even book my flight or hotel until the Monday before it if you can believe it. I was really uncomfortable going, but my mother in law and wife, and everyone insisted, plus the break did me some good. Been a little, well tough in my household lately.
So I scheduled my hotel first, and I was able to get a room at the Crown, they even honored the National rate which was great. I booked my flight to leave Thursday morning early returning on Sunday. Well a friend of mine that just sold his medical business is going to school to become a Pastor, and they were planning to come over Thursday evening, so last minute Wed I switched my flight to leave Friday morning for the National. The whole week was like someone was watching over me or assisting the whole way. Seriously when I say this, they switched my flight for free the day before. The guy actually offered and I never mentioned my families situation. My wife and Mother in law couldn't believe, neither could I.
So Friday I left early 6:56am direct flight. I was packing the night before till midnight, making sure my carry on was number safe from any damage, and two was able to fit all the stuff I needed to bring. I brought 125 vintage packs from the group sub, about 100 cards that I was giving to Rick, and another 170 cards to drop off at PSA. Neadless to say no issues through security, and it went perfectly.
Got to the hotel and was off to the National and was there by 10:00am. The first thing I did was go right to PSA's booth and drop off the Group Pack submission.
The PSA booth was just amazing, I had a nice woman assist me with the pack submission, and it went very smooth.
Next up I went and met Rick Probstein for the first time face to face. Just a great guy. I've been working and talking with him since Feb so it was like I already knew him. I got to spend a couple hours with him on Friday, and that was great. His systems are Awesome. In any business it's all about the systems you have in place. I bought a few raw cards, some vintage baseball and football, nothing crazy on Friday. I also went over and met Steve Hart and his group and introduced myself. Their booth was second to none. Just perfectly set up. Wished I had bought a few of those 86 Fleer packs, I didn't think they would sell out so fast.
Saturday was a different story. I knew the lay out and I was ready to buy some stuff and rip into some cases. I like buying modern as you may know to fund my vintage collecting etc. First up was a case of National Treasures Basketball. I opened it live at Blowout Cards booth, and landed the big hit. A John Wall RC Patch Auto #99. They are selling raw for 2K plus and there is a 9.5 up on Ebay for 5K. Blowout has a video on their website of National pulls, and if you want to see the card, you can click on the link and I'm there with the pull at 50 seconds. I did get it graded at the National by Beckett and it came back a 9.5!!! It has been sent off for auction, and should be up early next week.
I had only bought from Blowout cards a few times, and I must say they were great to deal with. I have opened a few cases of 2011 Best of Baseball, and was very pleased with the product, so I decided to open a couple cases there at the National. You get 3 boxes per case, and 2 graded cards per box.
Here are a few highlights...
I am a big Jason Heyward fan and was siked to pull these!!!
My second case brought both of these babies!!!
This was a big hit, there aren't any Refractor auto 9.5's on Ebay, this is a big card.
Then I hit this...
Another huge hit!!! I was offered $900 at the National for it, but declined. This will stay in my PC for now.
I then proceeded to open another product, this was just released by Panini. 2011 Leaf Cut Signatures. 12 box case and one Auto per box. Blowout gave me a great deal on them, and I proceeded to open 3 cases back to back. I was having a blast. I hit some monster cards out of them and here are few of the highlights. I have already sent off a few of the good ones including these.
Harrison Ford Star Wars Auto /3
Charlie Sheen Two and a Half Men /3
Malcolm McDowell Clockwork Org 1/1
Betty White & Carl Reiner Auto 2/2
Neve Campbell Wild Things Auto 1/1
Here ares some of the bigger hits our of the 3 cases. There were a total of 36 Cut Auto's.
Vince Neil Motley Crue 10/10
Pete Best The Beatles 7/8
Paul Stanley KISS 3/7
Watergate Prosecutor and Central Figure(Archibald Cox/ G. Gordon Libby 4/4
Bruce Jenner and Carl Lewis Summer Olympics Gold Medalists 3/6
Amanda Beard Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer 1/1
Natasha Bedingfield Pop Musician 1/1
And i just kept hitting. After my first case there was a bit of a crowd forming watching me rip into these like a Tiger with a 60 oz T-bone. Reminded me of the times I've hit some incredible runs on the blackjack tables. I was in the zone!!!
Jimmy Carter President 20/22
Bill Clinton President 1/1
And the big hit out of this product, well there are a few others, but this is RARE and doesn't sign very much.
Britney Spears Pop Music Icon 1/2... Awesome hit!
That was a great time opening up those cases. I then went over back to BBCE's booth, I must have gone by there 15 times throughout the National. I bought a box of 1980/81 Topps Basketball. While I was purchasing it I met Mknez and another member, sorry I forgot your name. Couple of nice guys and I was on my way.
I met up with Shawn Hastings who manages Diamond Cards Online, as I had bought a case of 2011 Basketball All Time Greats before the National. Another brand new product and he was nice enough to bring the case for me on the train he took. It's all the All Time greats and Jordan hits 1 in 6 cases. I ripped into that baby... 3 boxes per case. The first one was Larry Bird. I hit his Jersey Logo Auto, then the next box was Jordan!!!! My first ever Michael Jordan pull. It's a Michael Jordan Illustrious Auto /15!!! The third box was also an Illustrious Signature of Grant Hill. I have that one with me #D 9/10. I got the Bird and Jordan graded by BGS at the National. The Jordan came back an 8.5 with 9 Auto, and the Bird came back a BGS 9 with 10 Auto!!!! No scans sorry they already were sent off for auction.
Now it's Saturday afternoon... I knew I was up money so I decided to go to the new casino. I guess it was only open for two weeks. When I walked in it just smelt brand new. I gave myself a $1,000 to lose. I played blackjack for awhile, was up and down. Got some food, tried $1 slots and was down to $200 bucks. I figured hey I know I'm up with the cards so let's try some $5 slots. First $100 bill went in like 45 seconds. Put in my last $100 I had to spend and second or third pull....ding, ding, ding... I hit a small jackpot for $2,025. I hate when you have to sign the tax tickets. Anyway I walked away winning $800 after I fed the ugly $5 beasts some more food.
Sunday, the last day. The big day, one of the big reasons for going... Mike Tyson!!!! The night before I left(Thursday) I was opening the 100 packs of Panini Stickers searching for the Tyson Rookie. I did pull 2 of them, and they were just beautiful. So I bought my 2 autograph tickets and 1 picture(I'll post scans of that later). I got to meet Mike and got my picture taken with my Tyson PSA 9 Rookie english version, POP 1 for now. I explained it to him, and they kept snapping photo after photo. After what seemed like forever, was only probably a minute I looked at Mike and told him I prayed for him and I was sorry about his daughter. He lost his daughter a couple years ago.
I explained I was going through a very tough situation that my wife had terminal Cancer and meeting him was a big deal, as it was hard to get here. He grabbed me with his baseball size hands and hugged me. And not a quick like hey take care, I mean he hugge me, and I hugged him back. It made me get emotional. He said he would pray for my family etc. At this point the guy in charge of Panini was like come Mike we have to get going with the photo session. Mike was like whatever. He had his friend take down my name and number, and I gave him my business card. He said he wanted to talk, and his words, "I'll hook you up with all kinds of free s--- for you and your family.
I was able to stay in that area for another 5 minutes or so with his entourage which was, absolutely incredible. The guy is just Awesome!!! He had like 5 or 6 body guards and there were 2 police officers by him the whole time.
So now it was time for Autographs. I bought the VIP All Access so now it was time to get the Auto's... My palms were sweating, and it was getting hot in there with all the Auto sessions going on. While I was waiting I was basically a few feet from Robin Yount signing. So calm, so put together, what a player/HOF. So I am getting out my Tyson's, these RC's are very flimsy as they are just small stickers. My turn is coming. People had shorts, boxing gloves, magaizines, posters, etc, etc, and I have his RC's. Everyone thought it was really cool. I place them down, and his must be friend or whatever(same one that took my info), said let's make sure we get the right pen, they even asked if I wanted Mike to practice, someone threw down a sticky tab. I said no I had a blue fine tip sharpie that I knew would work great.
So Tyson grabs thes little sitckers with his Tiger paws and signs both of the RC's. It was just so cool. I haven't gotten an Autograph from an athlete since the 80's when I used to hang out in the Fenway Park back parking lot.
So I ran over to PSA and submitted them for the 2 hour grading. I went back and forth with just authenticating them, or grading the card with the Auto. I decided to get the card graded. If there was a downer while I was at the National, it was opening that box. They grades weren't what I expected, but for now they are the only ones graded based upon the POP report, and best of all I got them live, I got to meet Mike Tyson. From buying the box from Switzerland or Greece, can't remember, to almost not going to the National, to busting the packs the night before I left, to having these in my possession.
The Auto's are just Awesome!!!
I finished off my National visit with a few other purchases at some good deals, yes here is some Vintage...
And this...
So that was that. My first National. I won't get into how my flights were delayed 4 times Sunday evening, and then cancelled, and how I almost didn't get home on Monday, but I did. I was exhausted yesterday, but back to reality with my family, which not a card, a gamble, or Tyson could even compare.
Thanks for reading...
Take care,
So I scheduled my hotel first, and I was able to get a room at the Crown, they even honored the National rate which was great. I booked my flight to leave Thursday morning early returning on Sunday. Well a friend of mine that just sold his medical business is going to school to become a Pastor, and they were planning to come over Thursday evening, so last minute Wed I switched my flight to leave Friday morning for the National. The whole week was like someone was watching over me or assisting the whole way. Seriously when I say this, they switched my flight for free the day before. The guy actually offered and I never mentioned my families situation. My wife and Mother in law couldn't believe, neither could I.
So Friday I left early 6:56am direct flight. I was packing the night before till midnight, making sure my carry on was number safe from any damage, and two was able to fit all the stuff I needed to bring. I brought 125 vintage packs from the group sub, about 100 cards that I was giving to Rick, and another 170 cards to drop off at PSA. Neadless to say no issues through security, and it went perfectly.
Got to the hotel and was off to the National and was there by 10:00am. The first thing I did was go right to PSA's booth and drop off the Group Pack submission.
The PSA booth was just amazing, I had a nice woman assist me with the pack submission, and it went very smooth.
Next up I went and met Rick Probstein for the first time face to face. Just a great guy. I've been working and talking with him since Feb so it was like I already knew him. I got to spend a couple hours with him on Friday, and that was great. His systems are Awesome. In any business it's all about the systems you have in place. I bought a few raw cards, some vintage baseball and football, nothing crazy on Friday. I also went over and met Steve Hart and his group and introduced myself. Their booth was second to none. Just perfectly set up. Wished I had bought a few of those 86 Fleer packs, I didn't think they would sell out so fast.
Saturday was a different story. I knew the lay out and I was ready to buy some stuff and rip into some cases. I like buying modern as you may know to fund my vintage collecting etc. First up was a case of National Treasures Basketball. I opened it live at Blowout Cards booth, and landed the big hit. A John Wall RC Patch Auto #99. They are selling raw for 2K plus and there is a 9.5 up on Ebay for 5K. Blowout has a video on their website of National pulls, and if you want to see the card, you can click on the link and I'm there with the pull at 50 seconds. I did get it graded at the National by Beckett and it came back a 9.5!!! It has been sent off for auction, and should be up early next week.
I had only bought from Blowout cards a few times, and I must say they were great to deal with. I have opened a few cases of 2011 Best of Baseball, and was very pleased with the product, so I decided to open a couple cases there at the National. You get 3 boxes per case, and 2 graded cards per box.
Here are a few highlights...
I am a big Jason Heyward fan and was siked to pull these!!!
My second case brought both of these babies!!!
This was a big hit, there aren't any Refractor auto 9.5's on Ebay, this is a big card.
Then I hit this...
Another huge hit!!! I was offered $900 at the National for it, but declined. This will stay in my PC for now.
I then proceeded to open another product, this was just released by Panini. 2011 Leaf Cut Signatures. 12 box case and one Auto per box. Blowout gave me a great deal on them, and I proceeded to open 3 cases back to back. I was having a blast. I hit some monster cards out of them and here are few of the highlights. I have already sent off a few of the good ones including these.
Harrison Ford Star Wars Auto /3
Charlie Sheen Two and a Half Men /3
Malcolm McDowell Clockwork Org 1/1
Betty White & Carl Reiner Auto 2/2
Neve Campbell Wild Things Auto 1/1
Here ares some of the bigger hits our of the 3 cases. There were a total of 36 Cut Auto's.
Vince Neil Motley Crue 10/10
Pete Best The Beatles 7/8
Paul Stanley KISS 3/7
Watergate Prosecutor and Central Figure(Archibald Cox/ G. Gordon Libby 4/4
Bruce Jenner and Carl Lewis Summer Olympics Gold Medalists 3/6
Amanda Beard Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer 1/1
Natasha Bedingfield Pop Musician 1/1
And i just kept hitting. After my first case there was a bit of a crowd forming watching me rip into these like a Tiger with a 60 oz T-bone. Reminded me of the times I've hit some incredible runs on the blackjack tables. I was in the zone!!!
Jimmy Carter President 20/22
Bill Clinton President 1/1
And the big hit out of this product, well there are a few others, but this is RARE and doesn't sign very much.
Britney Spears Pop Music Icon 1/2... Awesome hit!
That was a great time opening up those cases. I then went over back to BBCE's booth, I must have gone by there 15 times throughout the National. I bought a box of 1980/81 Topps Basketball. While I was purchasing it I met Mknez and another member, sorry I forgot your name. Couple of nice guys and I was on my way.
I met up with Shawn Hastings who manages Diamond Cards Online, as I had bought a case of 2011 Basketball All Time Greats before the National. Another brand new product and he was nice enough to bring the case for me on the train he took. It's all the All Time greats and Jordan hits 1 in 6 cases. I ripped into that baby... 3 boxes per case. The first one was Larry Bird. I hit his Jersey Logo Auto, then the next box was Jordan!!!! My first ever Michael Jordan pull. It's a Michael Jordan Illustrious Auto /15!!! The third box was also an Illustrious Signature of Grant Hill. I have that one with me #D 9/10. I got the Bird and Jordan graded by BGS at the National. The Jordan came back an 8.5 with 9 Auto, and the Bird came back a BGS 9 with 10 Auto!!!! No scans sorry they already were sent off for auction.
Now it's Saturday afternoon... I knew I was up money so I decided to go to the new casino. I guess it was only open for two weeks. When I walked in it just smelt brand new. I gave myself a $1,000 to lose. I played blackjack for awhile, was up and down. Got some food, tried $1 slots and was down to $200 bucks. I figured hey I know I'm up with the cards so let's try some $5 slots. First $100 bill went in like 45 seconds. Put in my last $100 I had to spend and second or third pull....ding, ding, ding... I hit a small jackpot for $2,025. I hate when you have to sign the tax tickets. Anyway I walked away winning $800 after I fed the ugly $5 beasts some more food.
Sunday, the last day. The big day, one of the big reasons for going... Mike Tyson!!!! The night before I left(Thursday) I was opening the 100 packs of Panini Stickers searching for the Tyson Rookie. I did pull 2 of them, and they were just beautiful. So I bought my 2 autograph tickets and 1 picture(I'll post scans of that later). I got to meet Mike and got my picture taken with my Tyson PSA 9 Rookie english version, POP 1 for now. I explained it to him, and they kept snapping photo after photo. After what seemed like forever, was only probably a minute I looked at Mike and told him I prayed for him and I was sorry about his daughter. He lost his daughter a couple years ago.
I explained I was going through a very tough situation that my wife had terminal Cancer and meeting him was a big deal, as it was hard to get here. He grabbed me with his baseball size hands and hugged me. And not a quick like hey take care, I mean he hugge me, and I hugged him back. It made me get emotional. He said he would pray for my family etc. At this point the guy in charge of Panini was like come Mike we have to get going with the photo session. Mike was like whatever. He had his friend take down my name and number, and I gave him my business card. He said he wanted to talk, and his words, "I'll hook you up with all kinds of free s--- for you and your family.
I was able to stay in that area for another 5 minutes or so with his entourage which was, absolutely incredible. The guy is just Awesome!!! He had like 5 or 6 body guards and there were 2 police officers by him the whole time.
So now it was time for Autographs. I bought the VIP All Access so now it was time to get the Auto's... My palms were sweating, and it was getting hot in there with all the Auto sessions going on. While I was waiting I was basically a few feet from Robin Yount signing. So calm, so put together, what a player/HOF. So I am getting out my Tyson's, these RC's are very flimsy as they are just small stickers. My turn is coming. People had shorts, boxing gloves, magaizines, posters, etc, etc, and I have his RC's. Everyone thought it was really cool. I place them down, and his must be friend or whatever(same one that took my info), said let's make sure we get the right pen, they even asked if I wanted Mike to practice, someone threw down a sticky tab. I said no I had a blue fine tip sharpie that I knew would work great.
So Tyson grabs thes little sitckers with his Tiger paws and signs both of the RC's. It was just so cool. I haven't gotten an Autograph from an athlete since the 80's when I used to hang out in the Fenway Park back parking lot.
So I ran over to PSA and submitted them for the 2 hour grading. I went back and forth with just authenticating them, or grading the card with the Auto. I decided to get the card graded. If there was a downer while I was at the National, it was opening that box. They grades weren't what I expected, but for now they are the only ones graded based upon the POP report, and best of all I got them live, I got to meet Mike Tyson. From buying the box from Switzerland or Greece, can't remember, to almost not going to the National, to busting the packs the night before I left, to having these in my possession.
The Auto's are just Awesome!!!
I finished off my National visit with a few other purchases at some good deals, yes here is some Vintage...
And this...
So that was that. My first National. I won't get into how my flights were delayed 4 times Sunday evening, and then cancelled, and how I almost didn't get home on Monday, but I did. I was exhausted yesterday, but back to reality with my family, which not a card, a gamble, or Tyson could even compare.
Thanks for reading...
Take care,
Miconelegacy Auctions
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
0
Comments
Bosox1976
mathew
drugs of choice
NHL hall of fame rookies
You'll have to show me the ropes next year.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Jim
60's OPC packs
72 BB, 60's FB, 71FB, 73FB, 74FB, 75FB, 76FB, 78FB Rack Packs
72 and earlier BB cello
After reading this one it sure sounds as if you got a much needed and deserved break and had one hell of a run of some serious luck!
Congrats and those Tysons are sweet!
it was my pleasure to meet you sunday at the PSA booth and shake your hand, you are a great human being.
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
My collecting blog: http://ctcard.wordpress.com
Mike Tyson is a cool guy. Got to meet him at my dealership about 10 years ago. Got a funny story about that in here somewhere that I posted before.
Nendee yes I have Rick sell my modern. I have him sell everything.
Thanks for reading everyone.
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
What kept your pack fresh Tyson's from recieving higher grades? A little corner damage?
Great read and nice to hear about Tyson!!
Neil
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"
See you in Baltimore!
------
stupid print dots
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
Thanks for sharing your experience. The Schmidt and Winfield look fantastic!!!
Currently collecting 1934 Butterfinger, 1969 Nabisco, 1991 Topps Desert Shield (in PSA 9 or 10), and 1990 Donruss Learning Series (in PSA 10).
Clear Skies,
Mark
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
Craig